Each team owned a half of the game, but it was the PCM football team that got more offense out of their two quarters, as the Mustangs held off Pella Christian 33-14 last night to remain undefeated and assume sole posession of first place in Class 2A District 8.

PCM drove their opening possession 76 yards, deep into Pella Christian territory, but the Eagles defense made a big stop on third and goal. That forced a 26 yard field goal attempt. However, a bad snap bounced PCM’s way and resulted in a nine yard touchdown throw from Nate VandeWall to Sean O’Connor; giving PCM an early 6-0 lead.

From there the Mustangs controlled the rest of the half as quarterback Joel Wiggins took command, scoring on a 78-yard run early in the second quarter, then connected with receivers Ethan Kain and Bo Klymer in a span of 23 seconds to give PCM a 27-0 halftime lead.

The third quarter was a different story, though, as Pella Christian came out energized on both sides of the ball. The defense silenced PCM’s potent offense, while Nate Tvedt scored two touchdowns – a 26-yard run, and an eight-yard reception from sophomore quarterback Colton Collins. Collins had learned just hours before the game he would get the start for the injured Adam Howerzyl.

Trailing 27-14, with momentum in their favor midway through the fourth quarter, the Eagles were driving again when PCM’s Jordan Van Roekel intercepted a Collins pass and returned it to the Eagle 14 yard line; allowing the Mustangs to put the game away on a two-yard run by Hutch Burns.

Joel Wiggins led PCM on offense, completing 12-of-22 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for another; while the leading rusher on the season – Hutch Burns – was held to just 18 yards.

Tvedt led Pella Christian’s ground game with 135 yards on 19 carries, while Collins completed 8-of-19 passes for 64 yards with one touchdown and one interception. PCM improved to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in district play while Pella Christian fell to 4-2 and 3-1 in the district.